Course overview

Deakin’s Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of I.T. Security is the only degree of its kind in Australia. It brings together two independent degrees in criminology and I.T. security into an attractive four-year combined course. The course will provide you with skills in securing data and data communications, as well as investigating, analysing and providing solutions to computer crime. The course assists you to attain the knowledge required to become a Certified Information Systems Security Professional.

Combining IT security with criminology covers a wide range of topics concerning the meaning of crime; different forms, causes and consequences of crime; and the different institutions and processes developed for preventing and controlling crime. You will be provided with broad theoretical and applied knowledge and skills in relation to policy development, policing and security, and related fields. Topic areas include crime, justice, security and surveillance.

You should consider this degree if you are interested in pursuing a career in criminology or IT security, and particularly the many areas where criminology and IT security overlap (such as in relation to cyber-crime and cyber-security).

You will have the opportunity to complete the Criminology Practicum in your final year of study, a unit that brings the professions to the classroom (including online via the ‘cloud’) with practitioner-driven seminars, activities bridging theory and practice, and the development of an e-portfolio that can be used for employment or career development.

In line with Deakin’s commitment to providing flexible study options, you can choose to study the Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of I.T. Security full time or part time, at Waurn Ponds (Geelong) or via Cloud (online) mode. All subjects provide considerable online activities.

You will also have the opportunity to significantly fast-track your studies using Deakin’s trimester system.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of I.T. Security part of this double-degree is professionally accredited with the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

Fees and charges

Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.

Commonwealth supported place (CSP)A Commonwealth supported place is one for which the university receives some government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute only part of the cost of their course. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study.

* The "indicative annual course fee" cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2015, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2015 can be viewed from the Unit Search.Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on "indicative course fees" to calculate the total future cost of their course.

Career opportunities

Promising career opportunities await in the areas of both criminology and IT security. Graduates may find employment in areas such as government agencies, state and federal police, security and intelligence agencies, research and policy development, correctional services, community services, and private security and consultative industries, as well as more technical roles such as security analyst, security systems manager, security system developer/programmer, anti-virus software developer or computer forensic specialist.

Course rules

Criminology: Students must complete 16 credit points of study from the Faculty of Arts and Education including a minimum 12 credit points of ACR coded units, including the core units of ACR101, ACR102, ACR201, ACR202, ACR301, and ACR302.

Criminology is being rolled out over a three-year period commencing 2014 in Burwood (Melbourne). In 2015, the following Criminology units will be offered on campus at Burwood: ACR101, ACR102, ACR201, ACR202, ACR203, ACR204, ACR210, ACR211, ACR212 and ACR213. In 2016, ACR301, ACR302 and ACR303 will also be offered on campus. Students applying with prior study or recognition for prior learning will need to contact the student services office to review their enrolment plans.

Entry requirements - general

Deakin University offers admission to undergraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection Policy visit The Guide.

Entry requirements - specific

VCE Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English ( EAL ) or at least 20 in English other than EAL.

NY12 applicants must complete and submit a VTAC Personal Statement.

Deakin Access and Equity Program applicants via SEAS.

Credit for prior learning - general

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.

Criminology is being rolled out over a three-year period commencing 2014 in Burwood (Melbourne). In 2015, the following Criminology units will be offered on campus at Burwood: ACR101, ACR102, ACR201, ACR202, ACR203, ACR204, ACR210, ACR211, ACR212 and ACR213. In 2016, ACR301, ACR302 and ACR303 will also be offered on campus. Students applying with prior study or recognition for prior learning will need to contact the student support office to review their enrolment plans.

How to apply

Applications for study for Trimester 1 must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC). For more information refer to VTAC (external site).

Applications for Trimester 2 and Trimester 3 must be made directly to the University through the Applicant Portal. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the Apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.